I mentioned a while ago that I think one of the problems with web design may not be a design issue at all, but a browser issue, a HCI (Human Computer Interface -- add that to our alphabet soup list) issue.
I recently read an article in Computers in Human Behavior that discussed a research project involving subjects using menu-based interfaces vs. icon-based interfaces. A major problem in HCI is disorientation, especially upon first encountering a web page, cell phone or etc. Once the disorientation sets in, anxiety and giving up follow.
It seems that some people understand and prefer menus, while others prefer icons. Actually there is some evidence that one works better with some tasks, while the other works better with some others.
So to truly provide an optimal experience for web site visitors one would almost have to allow visitors to pick their preferred presentation. Operating system windows already do this, why not browsers?
If we could find a better way to allow the person facing the monitor to control the interface, we would be better designers.
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